Class of 2006
October 2006

Dear 2006 Classmates:

A few weekends ago, nearly 76 generations of Gusties gathered on-campus for the annual fall class agent conference. It truly made us feel like the first year students again, especially with people like Hildur Anderson Swenson ’30 (no relation to Matt Swenson) trotting around like she owned the place. In all seriousness though, we wanted to be sure to abolish any rumor that she was the one dressed up in the Gus the Lion costume while welcoming the class of 2010 to campus over Labor Day Weekend.

Honestly, being able to witness first-hand the enthusiasm and commitment that existed within other class agents was truly remarkable. Hearing about their life experiences and passionate stories about Gustavus only inspired us in our role as class agents to assist our class in remaining connected with each other as we venture beyond the physical border of Ring Road.

Which brings us to our main point (well, challenge, really): what can we do to ensure that we remain close, connected, and involved in each other’s lives… (beyond the latest, creepy news feed feature on Facebook)? Though we’ve only been absent from campus for four months withdrawal has quickly set in for many, while others are ecstatic to be starting the next chapter of their lives.

Here’s a little news about what’s happening in our lives:

Mollie Peterson is “loving” taking Greek at Luther Seminary along with being the youth director at the Mount Olivet – West Campus in Victoria, MN.

Anders Eckman works for the GF Parish Group, a headhunting firm that recruits for senior level positions at investment management firms … anyone still looking for a job?

Jessica Olson just got back from a summer-long camp at Cathedral of the Pines where her official title was “Mrs. Fun.” You may be wondering what exactly it is that this entailed, and, well, you’ll just have to ask her.

Matt Swenson fights 45-minutes of near-death experience to-and-from the state capitol everyday, where he serves as a legislative assistant for the DFL Caucus of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Katie Parks’ work wardrobe consists of red-and-khaki, but don’t worry, she accessorizes very well. She misses Gustavus immensely and even tears up every time she hears it’s name mentioned. Over the course of the class agent weekend she broke out into the Gustie Rouser 27 times – by herself.

Matt Forbes is delivering the voters of Minnesota’s First Congressional District to Amy Klobuchar while working for the DFL Coordinated Campaign. Although he is a slave to the Party, he gets several minutes off each week. You may have even been lucky enough to socialize with him for a few hours during the past months.

Campus News

Back to School

The 2006-07 academic year kicked off Sept. 6, with the annual opening convocation where President Jim Peterson encouraged students, faculty, and employees to remember, live, and teach the College's mission -- to prepare students for fulfilling lives of leadership and service to society. And some students who arrived on campus prior to the opening day of classes were already living the Gustavus mission. Students here early for athletic practice or residential-hall training helped with storm clean-up following tornadoes that hit the area at the end of August. The tornado damaged property in Nicollet, by Lake Emily, and farms outside Cleveland. The Gustavus campus and St. Peter received no damage.

Approximately 680 first-year students make up the class of 2010. 37% of these students are from the top 10% of their class, 10% are students of color, the average GPA is 3.7, and 20% are from out of state

Class Reunions/Homecoming

Class Reunions and Homecoming Weekend will be Oct. 6-8. This is a reunion time for the classes of 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, and 2001, but all alumni are invited to attend the events, even if it is not their reunion year. The full schedule this year includes musical performances, athletic events, seminars on terrorism and the Linneaus Arboretum, as well as a performance by alums Neal Hagberg ’81 and Leandra Peak ’83. The schedule is designed to provide activities for alumni and families.

Honor Roll of Donors

If you haven't had a chance to find yourself online, please go to gustavus.edu/giving/honorroll to check out the 2005-2006 Honor Roll of Donors. The Honor Roll of Donors recognizes those who made gifts to Gustavus between June 1, 2005, and May 31, 2006. To find your name or check your class results, just point and click from your home or office computer. For those who do not have access to a computer, you may call toll-free 866/487-3863 to receive a copy in the mail (supplies are limited).

Nobel Conference - Medicine: Prescription for Tomorrow

The 42nd Nobel Conference, was held October 3 and 4, and celebrated the successes of modern medicine and considered how it may further enrich our lives; at the same time, the conference explored possible public policy and medical care delivery problems, from cost to decisions on who will receive the treatments. Moral and ethical issues abound.

Obtain Life Insurance at Group Rates

September was Life Insurance Awareness Month. According to a recent national survey, 68 million Americans have no life insurance. Fortunately, the Alumni Association sponsors a life insurance plan, Life for Life, with exceptional features and low initial rates. Maximum coverage is $2 million and insurance can increase repeatedly even if your health fails and you become uninsurable. Obtain information online with the Alumni Association partner, www.meyerandassoc.com/ma/gustavus or call 800-635-7801 for more information about this and other sponsored insurance.

Omega Kappa Fraternity Celebrates 100 Years

The OKs will celebrate 100 years of Modesty, Diversity, and Brotherhood on Saturday, October 21, at the Science Museum on Minnesota in St. Paul. The evening will be filled with stories, photos, shared memories, artifacts, histories, and singing. For more information, go to gustavus.edu/alumni/reunion/OKS/.